Do a search for Idle-Chat mods maybe over at MTS. More specifically "Zero_Idle_Chatting.package"
I have also had to zip and unload most of my rotational games since the last update.
It seems the game is getting close to the limit of its capacities. I am beginning to see it freeze badly and a quick check of stats shows close to 6 GIG of RAM being eaten by the game.
With many years experience working online in massive online realtime virtual worlds, as a code tester working directly with coders, I know when a system is at its max and being stretched beyond design intent. I think the game engine itself has been pushed too far now.
It's simply no longer able to cope with the demands on internal AI, too many sims!
Lots with only a small family or a couple are fine, any community lot full of sims will lag like prison stoolpidgeon.